Gonzaga freshman Jalen Suggs will enter the NBA Draft, as announced on The Jump earlier today.
Suggs, who led the Zags on an impressive run to the NCAA championship game, is expected to be a top-5 pick this summer, as he currently ranks third on ESPN’s Big Board.
The 6-foot-4 point guard could be a fit for a number of teams expected to be picking near the top of the draft, even those with established point guard options.
The Timberwolves, for example, had an interest in LaMelo Ball last year in an effort to pair D’Angelo Russell with a budding point guard prospect. If Minnesota ends up in range to pick Suggs, who is from West St. Paul, Minnesota, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s the selection. It’s worth noting that the Timberwolves’ pick will head to Golden State if it falls outside the top-3 (as part of the Russell trade). Minnesota currently owns the worst record in the league at 15-43.
The Pistons and Thunder both have young, promising floor generals in Killian Hayes and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, respectfully. However, both franchises are clearly in talent acquisition mode, so if Suggs is the top guy on their respective draft boards, creating a dynamic two-point guard backcourt remains a possibility. Same with the Magic—a team that has Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz manning the position.
While the Rockets have John Wall, he certainly isn’t the point guard of the future, so Suggs would be a welcomed addition. As for the Cavs—currently 20-36, which is good for sixth-worst in the league—ushering in Suggs would add to an already complicated backcourt.
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